Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-12-22
A HAPPY NEW YEAR"
How It Came to Maggie and Hor
Mother.

"Here's your change, lady. III was
weary voice, and MS Mrs Howard
held out her hand to receive the money.
her eyes scanned the face Of the young
''saleslady" before her.
After all. It was only n girls face,
and its owner couldn't have been more
than fifteen years Of age. A pretty
face. and rs intelligent as pretty, with
pair of deep, gray eyes, a low white
brow shaded by soft curly rings Of
brown hair, oval cheeks. far too white
for n sign of health. and n sweet mouth
which any mother might like to kiss.
Now aud then when Maggie smiled,
MS her companions knew. though this
lady did not bewitching dimplo ap-
peared in each check. and made her
prettier than ever. But Maggie didn't
smile any ofiener for the sake Of her
looks. she was quite free from vanity
Of that sort poor little grill and to-
day she was so tired and sad that she
felt Ms though she could never smile
again. So the customer outside the
counter saw only the suspicion Of a
tear in the gray eyes before her. and
Knew there must be trouble Of some
sort in tho young heart. which just at
this season ought TO have been glad,
for Il was nearing the Christmas-tidc,
and when should there be happy hearts
and faces IL not then?
You look tired. my dear" remark
cd Mrs. Howard. kindly. as she
dropped the piece of silver in her
purse.
Maggie smiled. and now the lady
saw the dimples at last. and thought
within herself: How very pretty this
girl jsr'
''Yes'm." Maggie replied. Il am
tired. But so are all of us, you know. ;"
she added. brightly, rs though she
would share with her companions the
kindly sympathy of her customer
u suppose so. as just now you must
be pretty busy from morning till
night But, then, you know my dear,
Christmas is coming. and that will
make up for all the WEAKNESS. won
itp" Mrs. Howard nodded friendly
goodbye as she finished speaking. and
moved on with the crowd. little know
ing that her words so kindly meant,
had added one moro little stone TO the
many which seemed to be lying on
Maggie's heart.
'Oh. dear" sighed the girl,
christmas Is not like Christmas to
me. whatever It may be to her. II she
did but know it," Aud then new
customer claimed her attention, and
tho din and confusion about the count
er increased. for Il was the novelty
counter" in the great store Of -
Bros, and Christmas was close at hand.
indeed.
Mrs. Howard saw Maggie several
times again that week during the
usual round OF shopping incident to
the season. aud had acquired quite an
interest in the pretty salesgirl whose
manner was so pleasant aud ready.
and whose hands were increasingly
active. though. as the gray eyes be-
trayed. the heart was still heavy.
Blu: one afternoon. while sitting bo-
fore the counter nearest 10 Maggie's,
awaiting parcel. and watching with
half-amuscd. half-pitying eyes the
struggles Of the little "cash boys a
they pushed through the crowd. Mrs.
Howard had chance to learn even
more of Maggie's character than she
had guessed thus far Her proximity
was unobseryod by the girl, and Mrs.
Howard knew that every word she
heard from the young, sweet lips was
sincere.
You're big goose, Maggie West
on. that's what you aroV' said Mag
gie's companion to her during mo-
ments pause in their duties. "Anl
girl butyou would jump Mt the chance
n somo fun. and II Sunday is the only
chance wo poor girls have, why. then
where's the harm Of enjoying up"
Tho harm Is in doing thing
which you knew In your heart to be
wrong" replied Maggie, earnestly
''and would not so against my owl
conscience and my dear mother
wishes for all the enjoyment in tn
world"
The other girl shrugged her shoul
ders disdainfully.
InUHt NUM NWhA gVNA hNNHN
know iiP Aud how do you kno'
your conscience is always TO be dc
pended uponP'
well. think, Knile. !. isn't yer
difficult thing to decide about whe
you consider how happy or unhapp
one can be in ones heart just by th
state Of ono's conscience" roturnc
Maggie. with smile.
Very well. do as you like" wa
the answer; "but wo'rs going TO hav
jolly time and l know you'd ento
H."
Maggie shook hsr head. Don
urge me, please, Katie, Tam so three
and hate arguments so."
Just then Mrs Howards pare
was brought to her and a group
people closed about Maggio's counle
so that thero was no chance aiforde
for word with the girl had Mr.
Howard wished IT,
But all she had heard confirmed h
opinion Of the young girls charac'e
and mado her stIll moro anxious
perfect plan which had been 4
sono days half formed IN hcr MIN
She considered tho matter all ih